CONTACT Pittsburgh : Pittsburgh's 24 Hour Suicide and Supportive Listening Line

Someone needs to talk. Will you listen?

CONTACT Pittsburgh has over 70 active telephone volunteers. Some have worked on the hotlines for over 35 years. Others completed the volunteer training program and began taking calls this past year. Our diverse volunteers include those who are completing their college education to senior citizens. It is not necessary for volunteers to have a background in social work. Our volunteers include teachers, business professionals, health and safety personnel, nurses, lawyers, students, home-makers, and retirees.

What is shared by all our volunteers is the desire to help callers by being available to listen in times of crisis.

How do I become a volunteer?
Preparation for telephone service has five phases:
• Completion of our training application
• Interview with the director of outreach
• Completion of our training program
• Orientation to the phone room
• Three training shifts under the direction of experienced volunteers

Our comprehensive training program focuses on development of active listening skills and an understanding of issues commonly raised by callers. Each session consists of a topic presented by a professional from the community with small group work focusing on application of the issue to telephone work. Orientation to the phone room provides an introduction to the physical space and the policies of CONTACT Pittsburgh. Crisis Line education includes up to 36 hours of the most comprehensive training of its type in the greater Pittsburgh area. Class are presented by professional from the community teamed with current CONTACT Crisis Line Specialists and staff facilitating small groups and role plays.

Participants learn basic and advanced active listening skills and are trained on diverse topics including suicide, managing conflict, physical and sexual abuse, sexuality, chronic mental illness, adolescent and child development, depression and loneliness, death and bereavement, substance abuse, intervention, information and referral.

Acceptance for volunteering is dependent upon successful completion of the training program, including a final evaluation.

In addition to the Crisis Line training, completion of a 16 hour workshop in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) is required within 6 months of completing the CLS training. For more information on ASIST please click here.

The minimum age is 18 to volunteer on the telephone line.

A small fee is charged to partially cover the cost of speakers and materials.